2003 Lamborghini Murcilago - First Look

Welcoming The World's Newest Supercar

Lamborghini chose the active volcano, Mount Etna in Sicily, as the perfect setting for the debut of its all-new super car, the Murcilago. Amid grand-introduction theatrics (manmade smoke-and-ash effects, performance artists rights out of Cirque du Soleil), one fact was immediately clear: The Murcilago may look less audacious than the Diablo it replaces-but it's a serious piece. And still pure Lamborghini.

Like so many Lambos, the name of this new creation finds its roots in Spain's storied sport of bullfighting (company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini was born under the sign of Taurus). Murcilago (Spanish for "bat" and pronounced "moo-thee-uh-LA-go") was an exceptionally strong and able bull, whose life was spared following a fierce fight in 1879. This rare honor was bestowed only upon those animals who showed exceptional courage and spirit in the arena.Lamborghini hopes its first new car in more than a decade enjoys these same traits. For all their imperfections, the Diablo and Countach are tough acts to follow in terms of visceral impact. How many enthusiasts have grown up lusting after one or the other? It's also the first new product since the company came under Volkswagen ownership, with design, engineering, and management input from Audi.

The two-seat Murcilago mounts an updated 6.2L 60 all-alloy V-12 amidships, with a six-speed manual gearbox sitting ahead of the engine. The rear differential is integrated into the engine's castings, and power is transmitted via a viscous-coupled all-wheel-drive system. Though this powerplant shares its basic layout with the very first Lambo V-12 of the '60s, it's a modern, high-tech piece: DOHC, four valves per cylinder, a three-mode variable intake system, multipoint fuel injection, variable intake and exhaust cam timing, dry-sump oiling, and throttle-by-wire. This appropriately exotic-looking and -sounding powerplant wails out 580 horses at 5800 rpm and 480 lb-ft of torque at 5400 rpm. This engine is 200 cc larger (thanks to a longer stroke) and produces 30 hp more, as compared to the unit in the Diablo.In terms of design, the Murcilago is unmistakably Lamborghini. At 45 in. tall, it's one of the world's lowest production cars. And at 80 in. across-though fully 6 in. narrower than the Diablo-it's still one of the widest cars on the road. The chassis is made of steel, and except for the steel doors and roof, the body is lightweight carbon fiber. Its suspension is similar to that of the Diablo-upper and lower control arms with coil springs front and rear. However, almost everything has been reengineered for use in the new package. Electronic shocks work with steamrollerlike 18-in. Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tires and traction control, all in an effort to keep you headed in the right direction.Spy shots of early prototypes showed large, circular air scoops above the rear wheels. However, when Lamborghini was purchased a few years ago by VW, it was rumored that VW Chairman Dr. Ferdinand Pich disliked the design of the prototype, especially those air intakes which he felt unnecessarily harmed the car's aerodynamics.The answer is what Lamborghini calls its Variable Air-Flow Cooling System, composed of two active air intakes positioned above the rear wheelwells near the roofline. Under most normal driving conditions, these intakes remain closed. However, when the engine temperature or external air temperature reach a predetermined level, the scoops automatically open up about five inches, increasing airflow to the radiators. The intakes also can be manually opened. Lamborghini says the main benefit of the system is that the car's aerodynamics are compromised only when the scoops are open, giving the driver the choice: maximum cooling or minimum aero drag.